Williamsburg Aims To Enhance Parking

November 07, 2003|By APRIL TAYLOR Daily Press

WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg City Council is considering a plan to give shoppers and visitors near Merchants Square less free parking time and more expensive tickets for violations once its $6 million parking garage is finished.

The plan is aimed at curbing employees, students and others from parking too long in spaces designated for shoppers and big out-of-town spenders.

FOR THE RECORD - Published correction ran Saturday, November 8, 2003.A photo caption in Friday's Local News section incorrectly identified Prince George Street in Williamsburg as Duke of Gloucester Street. The photo accompanied a story outlining plans to enhance parking near Merchants Square. (Text corrected.)

"The point is to get the attention of repeat violators in the downtown and Merchants Square area where we have the most challenge to keep spaces available," said City Manager Jack Tuttle.

But at least one merchant is afraid that the plan will hurt business and cause shoppers to go elsewhere. Thomas E. Smith Jr., head of Binns clothing store at Merchants Square, said he is concerned about lowering the amount of time patrons can park in free areas.

"It doesn't financially make sense to me," Smith said. "There's a ceiling with the amount of money that could be made with this plan, and it doesn't equal the loss if we upset enough people who spend money here."

Tuttle said he expects the plan to help Binns and others, though. "The city's goal and the merchants' goal is the same and that's to provide accessible, easy-to-find and convenient parking for folks visiting downtown Williamsburg."

Binns is in the process of expanding in Merchants Square. When completed, it will be the second-largest store on the square.

City officials expect to collect $415,000 in parking fees each year from the 362-space garage. After expenses, they expect to have $199,000 to pay off construction costs. Colonial Williamsburg owns and keeps the fees from the other paid parking.

The proposal calls for putting the new rules in effect Jan. 1., around the same time officials hope to open the new garage at the corners of Prince George, North Boundary and Henry Streets.

Under the proposal, free parking would be reduced from two hours to an hour or less in designated areas on and near Merchants Square. The current $10 fine for overtime parking would go up to $30 to $50 for repeat offenders. The $30 fine would be for a second violation within 60 days while the $50 fine would hit drivers with a third violation in 60 days.

Free parking will remain on streets and in at least four lots in Merchants Square, but the time-limit for some of those spaces will be cut from two hours to one or less.

The other two parking areas -- the new parking garage and Colonial Williamsburg's parking lot at the corner of Francis and North Henry Street -- will cost $1 per hour.

April Taylor can be reached at 223-5685 or by e-mail at ataylor@dailypress.com